Renewed fighting erupted on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, between the Southern Giants Forces and Houthi rebels in the Al-Jafrah area, located between the districts of Harib and Al-Abdiyah in Marib Governorate, northeastern Yemen.

Military sources told Bran Press that intense clashes took place between the Giants Forces and Houthi militants in Al-Jafrah. The fighting resulted in the death of Rashid Saleh Lazraq Al-Dhalai, a commander in the Giants Forces, and casualties among Houthi fighters.

The clashes began following a Houthi infiltration attempt into Al-Jafrah, which was thwarted by the Giants Forces after intense fighting. The Houthis retreated back to their previous positions.

Earlier this month, the Houthis launched a surprise attack on Al-Jafrah in Al-Abdiyah, seizing control of Mount Al-Arash and the Al-Dhra' and Al-Qarn positions. However, the Giants Forces regained control after two days of heavy fighting.

In a statement, the Giants Forces described the clashes as "intense" and stated that they had successfully repelled a Houthi attack on Mount Al-Arash. They reported that the Houthis used artillery shells, drones, and medium weapons in the attack, but the Giants Forces responded decisively.

According to the statement, the Giants Forces forced the Houthis to retreat after inflicting heavy casualties. Their attempt to advance was met with a resounding failure.

Al-Jafrah, inhabited by the Al-Ghanim tribe, is a sparsely populated area with no military presence. The Giants Forces control the surrounding mountains overlooking Al-Jafrah from the direction of Harib district, while the Houthis control the mountains overlooking the area from Al-Abdiyah district. The villages within Al-Jafrah are devoid of any military presence from either side.

In January 2022, the Giants Forces, backed by the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, liberated Al-Jafrah in Al-Abdiyah district after securing control of the Harib South and Ain districts in Shabwah Governorate. The victory followed intense battles against the Houthis.